Low voter turnout for council elections

Voter fatigue is being touted as one reason for a low voter turnout for the local government elections.

The acting electoral commissioner Chris Avent says the turn-out in W-A wasn't as strong as some other states where voting is compulsory.

"People make a call as to whether they think they need to participate depending on what the local issues are," he said.

"If people are quite comfortable and happy with the performance of their local government then because it's not compulsory they may well be saying 'well I don't need to vote.'

"We've had state, federal and local government elections this year. Some people are suggesting there's an element of voter fatigue," he said.

"In places like Bunbury where you've got a mayoral election which is being hotly contested you're having stronger turnout rates than in other locations where there's not a mayoral election and there may not be particular pressing issues."

In the town of Vincent, John Carey, who's been acting as Mayor since Alannah MacTiernan moved into Federal parliament, easily won the ballot.

In the hotly contest Mayoral election in Bunbury, Gary Brennan was the successful candidate from a pool of eight.

In Fremantle, Brad Pettit was comfortably returned as Mayor.

In the City of Joondalup, Troy Pickard has been returned as Mayor.

In Cottesloe, Jo Dawkins was elected unopposed as Mayor.

And in Cockburn, Logan Howell was returned as Mayor with 47 per cent of the vote.